From career milestones to new music releases to major announcements and those little important moments, Billboard editors highlight uplifting moments in Latin music. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week.
Tiago PZK’s VMAs debut
Argentine urban act Tiago PZK will make his VMAs debut at this year’s award ceremony. Tiago will join Brazilian star Anitta to perform their Brazilian funk collab “Alegría.” The 2024 VMAs will be broadcast live from New York’s UBS Arena on Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 8 p.m. ET via MTV and Univision. Other artists confirmed to perform include Karol G, Camila Cabello and Rauw Alejandro, among others. Megan Thee Stallion will host the show, and Katy Perry will receive the Video Vanguard Award.
Latin Grammys Best New Artist Showcase in Argentina
The Latin Recording Academy hosted the Best New Artist Showcase featuring previous Latin Grammy winner in the best new artist category, Joaquina, and Nicki Nicole, who was also nominated in the same category in 2020. For the first time, the event took place in Buenos Aires, Argentina, at Michelangelo Legend.
“Bringing our Best New Artist Showcase to Argentina for the first time, together with Joaquina and Nicki Nicole, is a unique opportunity to continue celebrating Latin music and its creators during the 25th anniversary of the Latin Grammys,” said Manuel Abud, CEO, The Latin Recording Academy. “Since we launched the series two years ago, this initiative has become an excellent vehicle to bring our mission to life and reaffirm our commitment to fostering spaces that supports new music in an environment that respects cultural diversity and inclusion.”
Joaquina opened the showcase and sang “Pesimista”, “Quise Quererte,” “No Llames Lo Mío Nuestro” and “El Alquimista.” Meanwhile, Argentine hitmaker Nicki Nicole performed “Dispara”, “Qué Le Pasa Conmigo”, “8AM”, “Plegarias” and “Llámame.”
Joaquina and Nicki Nicole greet thepublic after performing during the The Latin Recording Academy® Best New Artist Showcase on September 05, 2024 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Lalo Yasky/Getty Images for The Latin Recording Academy
Carnegie Hall to kick off Nuestros Sonidos
Carnegie Hall is set to kick off Nuestros Sonidos — a season-long festival that aims to spotlight Latin culture in the U.S. with a free concert series with events across all five boroughs of New York City. The lineup includes performances by Daymé Arocena on Sept. 20. Subsequently, three performances by Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic from Oct. 8-10 will take place. On the final performance of the orchestra’s series on Oct. 10, Mexican singer-songwriter Natalia Lafourcade will join him as special guest.
More info on Nuestros Sonidos here.
Codiciado honored in Chula Vista, Calif.
On Wednesday (Sept. 4), regional Mexican artist Codiciado was honored with a special proclamation by the Mayor of Chula Vista in San Diego, Calif. The recognition “celebrates Codiciado’s outstanding career and invaluable artistic contributions to the San Diego community and beyond,” according to a press release. The ceremony took place at City Hall in Chula Vista. The singer-songwriter is set to perform at Rumbazo 2024 in Las Vegas on Sept. 13 in celebration of Mexican Independence Day Weekend. For more information, visit rumbazofest.com or follow the event on social media at @rumbazofestival.
Sebastián Yatra On Broadway
“Opportunities come when they come in life and if you don’t dare to take them, you don’t know if they will come again,” Yatra told Billboard Español about making his Broadway debut in Chicago. Set to play the role of Billy Flynn, Chicago is the longest running American musical on Broadway that is a satire set in the 1920s about show business. Chicago is presented at the Ambassador Theatre (219 W. 49th St.) For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.ChicagoTheMusical.com.
Read Yatra’s interview about making his highly-anticipated Broadway debut here.